Todd Hall, Austin Grad librarian, shared his journey through grief at Friends’ Day and Sermon Seminar. Now he shares the books he found helpful.

Through my own experience, I have developed an affinity for books that offer a theological vision of grief and grief ministry. Following is a list of books that I would recommend both for those who are in grief and those who minister to the grieving.

Nicolas Wolterstorff,
Lament for a Son (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987). Wolterstorff, a theologian lost his son, Eric, in a climbing accident. This is a journal of his journey through grief. It was instrumental in my remaining faithful in my own grief. Wolterstorff's presentation of grief is raw and therefore allows ministers to see into the emotions and thoughts of those to whom they minister.

I recently came across a quote that has stuck with me and continues to be meaningful. I can't give credit to its author but I appreciate whoever it is.

The quote says, "Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting."

The quote is meaningful to me for several reasons. First, it describes a lot of people I know. I have been fortunate to know some of the most generous people in the world. Most of them are described by this quote.

Most people who share their resources do so from a genuine motive to help others. Seldom are they concerned with self-gratification. The benefit of others is their concern.

It has been a year since Sergio Longoria completed the Master of Arts in Theological Studies. Sergio came to Austin Grad to deepen his understanding of the faith and to prepare for full-time ministry after retirement.

While Sergio does not serve in a traditional or paid ministry role, he continues to serve those he encounters in everyday life and in his work. At Austin Grad he developed more confidence in his ability to help people cope with the difficult situations of life.

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